Housing for radio/tape cartridge players

ABSTRACT

Magnetic tape cartridge players, with or without contained radio reception, are manufactured with basic common housings. Inexpensive decorative bezels are arranged for ready securement to the front end of the housings. These appear to be normally part of the assembly, and harmonize with the housing. Design changes, as different models, are thereby readily feasible for a basic player in mass production. Also, a universal mounting bracket is supplied with the basic player that accommodates most mobile installations.

United States Patent William P. Lear VerdLNev.

Samuel H. Auld, Newport Beach, Calif.

[21] Appl. No. 834,827

[22] Filed June 19, 1969 Division of Ser. No. 540,289, Apr. 5, 1966,Pat. No. 3,478,973.

June 1, 1971 Lear Jet Industries, Inc.

Wichita, Kans.

[72] Inventors [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] HOUSING FOR RADIO/T APECARTRIDGE PLAYERS 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 312/7 [51] Int. Cl A47b 81/06, HOSk 5/00 [50] Field ofSearch 312/7;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,897,487 7/1959 Owen312/7X 3,346,812 10/1967 McKenna et al. 312/7X 3,463,565 8/1969 Richteret al. 312/7 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Att0 meyRichard A.Marsen ABSTRACT: Magnetic tape cartridge players, with or withoutcontained radio reception, are manufactured with basic common housings.Inexpensive decorative bezels are arranged for ready securement to thefront end of the housings. These appear to be normally part of theassembly, and harmonize with the housing. Design changes, as differentmodels, are thereby readily feasible for a basic player in massproduction. Also, a universal mounting bracket is supplied with thebasic player that accommodates most mobile installations.

STEREO 8 PATENIED JUN 1 |97| SHEET 2 UF 2 FIG. 3

f INVENTORS, WILLIAM P. LEAR SAMUEL H. AULD r a g Their ATTORNEY HOUSINGFOR RADIO/TAPE CARTRIDGE PLAYERS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONhas bevelled edges against which the bezel fits snugly. The

player control shafts protrude through Openings in the bezel. The bezelis secured with the player, as by locknuts at the shafts. A universalbracket is provided for direct installation of .the basic players inmany types of arrangements, particularly vehicles. The player housingcontains threaded extensions at its sides that engage with the slots ina U-shaped bracket for this purpose bracket. Thus players hereof can bemass produced in one basic configuration for economy, yet be sold invarious designs, and for universal mounting in vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front face view of anexemplary radio/tape cartridge player, with the decorative bezel.

FIG. 2 is a plan view ofthe lower housing of the player, showing itsfront end configuration.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the player, the bezel being mounted therewith.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the player, assembled with both the bezeland universal bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The housing of the player 30 is composed of twohalf sections 31,32 that are fastened together by machine screws orbolts at comer apertures 33,33. The sections 30,31 are preferably ruggedcastings to afford suitable rigidity and reference platforms for stablysupporting the player motor and mechanism in their precision transportand tracking of the magnetic tape 51 in a cartridge 50 inserted forplay. The castings 31,32 may be of aluminum or magnesium alloy toconserve weight. Two pairs of threaded studs 35,36 extend centrally outof the sides'of the player sections 31,32. The stud sets 35,36 are forsecuring the assembled player 30 onto a suitable bracket for adjustablymounting it in play position in a vehicle.

The magnetic tape cartridge 50-is inserted in a slot or tunnel 44,therefor, extending into the player from its front. A radiotuner-detector unit 45 is incorporated with the exemplary player 30. Itis transistorized and fitted in a longitudinal compartment 46 at theright side of partition 47 in base 31. The radio tuning of unit 45 isperformed through shaft 48 that extends to front or central tuning knob50. Circuitry for the radio tuner-detector, for clarity, is not shown,nor are those for the stereo amplifiers and motor control; the presentinvention not being concerned as to their details.

The balance control potentiometer 52 for stereophonic sound outputcontrol has a concentric sleeve 53 that is secured with the outer orback knob 51. Such knob array is of course optional. Clockwise rotationof knob 51 increases the right sound channel output while decreasingthat on the left. Counterclockwise rotation will produce the oppositeeffect.

The set of control knobs 55,56 at the left side are used herein asfollows: The front or central knob 55 functions as the overallradio/player on-off switch, and volume setting. The outer or back knob56 couples to a pair of potentiometers that effect tone control on boththe stereo amplifier channels. This permits one to select the mostpleasing tonal range for both the radio and tape playing. When it isturned clockwise the tone is more treble or brilliant. Turning knob '56counterclockwise makesthe tone more mellow and accentuates the basstones.

A four-section potentiometer 57 (see FIG. 3) is used for the volume andtone control, in tandem for both stereo amplifiers. These are suitablyganged to the shaft and sleeve for control knobs 55,56. At its rearsection is the on-off electrical switch 58, above referred to. Theexemplary dual stereo amplifier is a transistorized printed circuitarray that is fitted within the iongitudinal compartment 60 with gangedcontrol 57,58, at the left side of chassis base 31. Compartment 60 isdefined by the left wall of base 31 and an interior wall 61 (see FIG.3). Thecompact stereo amplifier pair includes preamplification for thelow-level magnetic head signal pickup of the tape record, and isdiagrammatically indicated by its backboard 62 for simplicity ofillustration. The dual magnetic (stereo) head is presented at 65, withindividual tape channel pickup sections 66,67.

The exemplary tape drive motor is a low-voltage lowspeed DC permanentmagnet type. Its rotor 71 is external and contains the predominate massthereof to serve as a flywheel.

Its central drive shaft 72 is the capstan for direct contact with andtransport of the magnetic tape, see FIGS. 2, 3. The precise motor speedin rpm. is automatically controlled by an electronic motor controlcircuit energized by the vehicle low-voltage source, as a 12 -voltstorage battery. A suitable practical motor control system is set forthin U.S. Pat. No. 3,396,323

Electronic Motor Speed Control. It is'to be understood that other drivesystems may be used in the basic player hereof, as for example an ACmotor with a separate flywheel, as for home-use models with an available60 -cycle source.

Most of the motor control circuit is readily assembled ona compactprinted-circuit board, indicated at 75 (FIG. 3). Such board is heldvertically along the side of the player, by insertion in slots 76,76provided in base 31. A small potentiometer 77 has a forward projectingshaft 78 accessible through a small aperture in the front panel 79 foradjusting the speed of motor 70.'The sizeable power transistor thatdirectly controls the current through the motor circuit, is mounted in awell 80 formed in the bottom of base 31 into the region 46, as seen inFIG. 3. This transistor (notv shown) is mounted on the outside of base31 for better ventilation, and suitably secured against the metalsurface of well 80 that serves asa heat sink for circuital stability.Leads 81,81 extend from the control transistor terminals intocompartment 46 for connection in the control circuit.

The motor control circuit regulates the motor speed to the predeterminedr.p.m. for transporting the magnetic tape longitudinally passed head 65,e.g. at 3.75 inches per second. Such motor speed is normally heldsubstantially uniform over wide variation in ambient temperature oravailable battery voltage. Should the motor speed somehow be offnoticeably, a stroboscopic pattern premarked on its flat top candirectly ascertain this. Slight adjustment of the potentiometer 77,performed simply from the player front, is generally sufficient tosynchronize the motor pattern, and its speed.

A central subchassis 85, as a stiff steel plate, is secured to base 31by self-tapping screws 86,86 into apertures 87,87. Plate mounts thestator 88 of motor 70 with screws 89,89, see FIG. 2. A sleeve 90 issecured to the center of rotor 88 and extends into a well formed justbelow the level of base 31. A cutout 93 in sleeve 90 provides access forthe tape to the surface-roughened capstan thereat.

The motor 70 as a whole, including sleeve 90 and shaft 72, is thusmounted as a simple subassembly with chassis plate 85. Its placement inthe player is direct, sleeve 90 fitted into the well and the four screws86,86 securing plate 85 in proper position on base 31. This reducesproduction cost and service time. Its simplicity of parts and placementreduces costand improves quality of the reproduced sound, with minimumwow and flutter and minimum wear and tear.

Circuit components are readily fitted on chassis plate 85. However, thevertically low motor 70, of relatively high diameter, takes up thepredominate portion of the volume available above plate 85 and a largepart of the space over.

compartment 46. Thelow-and-wide cylindrical configuration of rotor 71enhances its rotational moment of inertia for aa given power rating forthe motor 70 and weight. These inertia factors hereof provide excellentstabilizing flywheel action requisite for high-quality soundreproduction of tape records. The motor drive and flywheel action andcapstan operation at precise rotational speed, are all provided by asingle flat moving part, namely rotor 71 with its central shaft 72.Compactness in volume with minimum player height are thereby provided.

Motor piate 85 carries thereon circuit transformer 94, cartridgeoperated radio/tape play-mode switch 95, electrolytic condenser 96,pilot light 97, and program or tape-track selector switch 98. Thefunction and operation of play-mode select switch 95 is set forthhereinafter in connection with FIG. 2. The program-select switch 98comprises a leaf spring 99 that coacts with a pushbutton 100 slideablymounted centrally in front panel 78. The tip 101 of leaf spring 99 isarranged to normally press against the rear 102 of button 100, (FIG. 2).When the button is pressed inwardly, manually, tip 101 is displaced tocontact grounded lug 102. A circuit is thereupon completed thatenergizes solenoid l10, to in turn effect the shifting of pickup head 65to the next stereo track pair or program position on the tape record.

The front panel 78 is a self-contained subassembly that is in= serted invertical slots at the front corners 103,103 of base 31, and companionones in cover 32. When a radio tuner 45 is included in the player, aradio dial 105 is used. A movabie pointer 104 is mechanically coupled toradio tuning shaft controlled by knob 50, (not shown). Dial 105 islinear, parallel to cartridge tunnel 44, and placed above the tapecartridge position in the player. In this way one can view the radiotuning operation While a cartridge remains in player 30 the radioplay"position to be described. 7

A decorative front cover or bezel 106 is readily combined with theplayer hereof. Its purpose is to enhance the appearance of the player,or permit ready change of design as viewed from the front. Bezel 106 maybe inexpensively molded of tough plastic material, and coated with ametallic film to constitute a shiny player front. It is made toharmonize with the knobs.

Openings are provided to expose radio dial 105 and cartridge tunnel 44.An opening is also provided for the programselect button 100 to projectthrough, and an aperture for access to the motor speed control shaft 78.The bezel is hollow and proportioned to fit against vertical recesses107,107 in the sidewalls of base 31 and cover 32. The player sides aretoed-in or tapered from recesses 107,107. Bezel 106 is mounted againstthe player front by its having holes that fit over the front controlshafts and sleeves when the knobs 50,51 and 55,56 are removed. Thecontrol shaft lock-nuts, 108 or the knobs themselves, are positionedagainst bezel 106, holding it in position on the player at grooves orrecesses 107,107.

The exemplary cartridge 110 contains a reel of magnetic tape 115therein, in endless array. A loop of the tape extends adjacent theforward end 111 thereof: about corner guide post 116, intermediate guidepost 117, and pinch roller 120. The pinch roller hereof is rotatablysupported on a fixed stud or post 118 of the cartridge housing, andcontains a tire 121 or suitable eiastic material as silicone, rubber ofthe like, concentric on its hub 122. More detailed description ofcartridges similar to the one 110 hereof are set forth in U.S. Pat. No.3,482,792 for Endless Tape Cartridge" and U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,868 forMagnetic Tape Cartridge System."

Tape cartridge 110 is inserted into player 30 at frontal slot or tunnel44. FIG. 3 illustrates the cartridge fully inserted and firmly andstabiy held in the tape-play position. A retention roller 125 isarranged at the right side of the tunnel, biased inwardly towards thecartridge position by leaf spring 126, as indicated by the adjacentarrow. Roller 125 is heid firmly pressed against an inclined wall 130 inthe side of cartridge 110. The angle and location of wall 130 isarranged to establish a force component that presses pinch roller 120against capstan 72 as well as a force component pressing the oppositecartridge side 112 firmly against side rollers 135 ,136 and projectingmember 137.

Rollers 135,136 are mounted on respective vertical axes in partitionwall 61; member 137 being affixed with wall 61. The rollers 135,136 arepreferably of solid self-lubricating material as Teflon, nylon, Delrin.They materialiy facilitate the insertion and removal of the cartridgefrom the close fitting tunnel 44, and coact to stably hold the cartridgein a floating" condition for smooth tape play in conjunction with theengaged retention roller 125 on inclined wall 130.

Proper pressure is established and maintained between the pinch roller120 and capstan 72 for even and firm longitudinal transport of themagnetic tape therebetween. The capstan 72 and pinch roller l20automatically align and adjust for optimum operation therefor in thenovel effective floating arrangement hereof. Irregularities amongcartridges as to true squareness or warpage, tire 121 resiliency orwear, are directly resolved in efficient tape play. No unpredictablefriction on the cartridge sides is encountered which otherwise couldconstrain it into unsatisfactory tape presented for play at head 65.

When cartridge is fully inserted in the play mode shown in FIG. 3, it isengaged with capstan 72 as hereinabove described. The capstan presses onthe tape as exposed through a front opening 140 in the cartridge atpinch roller 120. A further opening 141 admits pickup head 65 to coactwith the transported tape 115. A pressure pad 143 maintains the tapeagainst the surface of head 65. A tape guide mounted in the playeradjacent head 65 is arranged to hold the tape firmly in a predeterminedplane for head 65, and at a set level for precise tracking. Details ofthe exemplary tape guide 150 and its operation herein are set forthhereinafter in connection with FIGS. 15, 16 and 16A.

Another opening 142 at the cartridge front permits the insertion ofsensing contactor 145 to establish continuous contact with the passingtape E15. Pressure pad 144 facilitates this. Two individual curvedcontact arms detect the passage of a conductive strip adhered to theendless tape at its record and start position. A circuit is therebyclosed to energize solenoid 110 and initiate the shift of head 65 to thenext successive track-playing position on tape 115.

Upon the full insertion of the cartridge in the player, as shown in FIG.3, the speed controi circuit for the drive motor 70 is directlyactivated to energize and operate the motor and its integral capstan 72.Towards this end, cartridge-operated switch 95 is actuated, and thecontained tape 115 is promptly transported for play by the capstanaction. Switch 95, mounted above tunnel 44 on suhchassis plate 85, hasits central leaf spring extend over an aperture 161 plate 85. Thecircuital operation of the player on-off mode and of the radio throughactuation by the cartridge 110 is set forth in the parent U.S. Pat.application Ser. No. 540,289 referred-to above.

FIG. 4 iiiustrates the under-the-dashboard mounting mode in anautomobile. Threaded caps 38 attach tip apertures of U- bracket 37 ontolower studs 35. The player is pivoted on the lower studs 35. The properangle setting is fixed with the upper studs 36 coacting in arcuateslotted regions 39 of the arms 40,40 of bracket 37. The caps 41 on upperstuds 36 are then fastened against the arms 40 and sides of player 30 tohold it in play position, as desired. For floor mounting a car, boat orairplane the bracket 37 is positioned upside down with the upper studs36 becoming the pivots and the lower ones 35 determining the angle inthe slots 39. The plurality of slots 42,42 in the body of bracket 37 arefor securement thereof to the corresponding portion of the vehicle atwhich the assembly is mounted for use.

The complete player 30 is illustrated in perspective in FIG. 4. Itscompactness affords ready mounting in an automobile dashboard, or inother locations with bracket 37 as stated hereinabove. The front bezel106 is an optional inexpensive decorative element. The battery lead 235extends from the player as through a channel 109 in a ledge 108 formedin the rear of the player sections 31,32 (see FlGS. 2,3). A fuse andholder 216 is in cable 215 that has a terminal lug 217 for batteryconnection. The multispeaker cable also extends from inside the playerand has a plug 220 for receptacle 211 that terminates the speaker systemmounted in the vehicle. By placing say two speakers for each channel,one set on each side of the car occupants, stereophonic reproduction ofthe tape record is experienced, as the signal separation of the tapedchannels is excellent, as is their tracking hereof.

What we claim is:

l. A player comprising a housing with the comers of its front end beingbevelled, each said corner being recessed along the inner end of itsbevel, and a bezel with a decorative face having 'sides' that extendabout the housing front end, edge regions of the bezel sides being injuxtaposition with the said corner recesses, said bezel having frontalopenings exposing operational player sections.

2. A player as claimed in claim 1, further including a control shaftextending from the player housing and through an aperture in said bezel,and means securing said bezel and shaft together and thereby retain thebezel in position on the front housing end.

3. A player as claimed in claim 2, in which the said securing means is alocknut on said shaft.

4. A combination radio and tape cartridge player comprising a housingwith the corners of its front end being bevelled, each said comer beingrecessed along the inner end of its bevel, and a bezel with a decorativeface having sides that extend about the housing front end, edge regionsof the bezel sides being in juxtaposition with the said corner recesses,said radio containing a tuning dial and control shafts, the face of saidbezel containing an opening exposing said tuning dial and an aperturethrough which each of said shafts project.

5. A player as claimed in claim 4, further including means securing saidbezel and shafts together and thereby retain the bezel in position onthe front housing end.

6. A player as claimed in claim 5, in which the said securing means is alocknut on said shafts.

7. A player comprising a housing having two pairs of extending studs,each stud pair being symmetrically located on opposite sides of thehousing, a U-shaped bracket for operatively mounting the player in avehicle, the central region of said bracket being arranged forattachment to the vehicle, the tip of each spaced arm that extends fromthe bracket being securable to one of said studs, an intermediateportion of each arm having an opening for adjustable engagement of theportion with the adjacent second stud for stably mounting the player.

8. A player as claimed in claim 7, in which the said openings in saidbracket arms are arcuate slots for angularly adjusting the playerposition in the vehicle.

1. A player comprising a housing with the corners of its front end beingbevelled, each said corner being recessed along the inner end of itsbevel, and a bezel with a decorative face having sides that extend aboutthe housing front end, edge regions of the bezel sides being injuxtaposition with the said corner recesses, said bezel having frontalopenings exposing operational player sections.
 2. A player as claimed inclaim 1, further including a control shaft extending from the playerhousing and through an aperture in said bezel, and means securing saidbezel and shaft together and thereby retain the bezel in position on thefront housing end.
 3. A player as claimed in claim 2, in which the saidsecuring means is a locknut on said shaft.
 4. A combination radio andtape cartridge player comprising a housing with the corners of its frontend being bevelled, each said corner being recessed along the inner endof its bevel, and a bezel with a decorative face having sides thatextend about the housing front end, edge regions of the bezel sidesbeing in juxtaposition with the said corner recesses, said radiocontaining a tuning dial and control shafts, the face of said bezelcontaining an opening exposing said tuning dial and an aperture throughwhich each of said shafts project.
 5. A player as claimed in claim 4,further including meaNs securing said bezel and shafts together andthereby retain the bezel in position on the front housing end.
 6. Aplayer as claimed in claim 5, in which the said securing means is alocknut on said shafts.
 7. A player comprising a housing having twopairs of extending studs, each stud pair being symmetrically located onopposite sides of the housing, a U-shaped bracket for operativelymounting the player in a vehicle, the central region of said bracketbeing arranged for attachment to the vehicle, the tip of each spaced armthat extends from the bracket being securable to one of said studs, anintermediate portion of each arm having an opening for adjustableengagement of the portion with the adjacent second stud for stablymounting the player.
 8. A player as claimed in claim 7, in which thesaid openings in said bracket arms are arcuate slots for angularlyadjusting the player position in the vehicle.